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Andersonville； Ga。； for the purpose of alleviating the hardships of our sick
and imprisoned soldiers； and at once put her resolution into effect by
going immediately to that place。 After crossing the lines； she passed as a
rebel lady； to enable her the more successfully to carry out her object。 On
her arrival at Andersonville； Clotelle took up her abode with a private
family； of Union proclivities； and commenced her work of mercy。 She first
visited the hospitals； the buildings of which were merest excuses for
hospitals。
It was the beginning of November； and； even in that southern latitude；
the cold made these miserable abodes uncomfortable nights and mornings。
The dirty； unventilated rooms； with nothing but straw upon the cold； damp
floor； for beds； upon which lay the ragged； emaciated Union prisoners；
worn down to skin and bone with disease and starvation； with their sunken
eyes and wild looks； made them appear hideous in the extreme。 The
repulsive scenes； that showed the suffering； neglect； and cruelty which
these poor creatures had experienced； made her heart sink within her。
Having paid considerable attention to hospital life in Europe； and so
recently from amongst the sick at New Orleans； Clotelle's experience；
suggestions； and liberal expenditure of money； would have added greatly
to the comfort of these helpless men； if the rebel authorities had been so
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disposed。 But their hatred to Union prisoners was so apparent； that the
interest which this angel of humanity took in the condition of the rebel
sick could not shield her from the indignation of the secession officials for
her good feeling for the Union men。 However； with a determination to do
all in her power for the needy； she labored in season and out。
The brutal treatment and daily murders committed upon our soldiers in
the Andersonville prisons caused Clotelle to secretly aid prisoners in their
escape。 In the latter work； she brought to her assistance the services of a
negro man named Pete。 This individual was employed about the prison；
and； having the entire confidence of the commandant； was in a position to
do much good without being suspected。 Pete was an original character；
of a jovial nature； and； when intending some serious adventure； would
appear very solemn； and usually singing a doleful ditty； often the
following； which was a favorite with him：
〃Come listen； all you darkies； come listen to my song： It am about
old Massa； who use me bery wrong。 In de cole； frosty mornin'； it an't so
bery nice； Wid de water to de middle； to hoe among de rice；
When I neber hab forgotten How I used to hoe de cotton；
How I used to hoe de cotton； On de old Virginny shore；
But I'll neber hoe de cotton； Oh！ neber hoe de cotton
Any more。
〃If I feel de drefful hunger； he tink it am a vice； And he gib me for
my dinner a little broken rice； A little broken rice and a bery little fat；
And he grumble like de debbil if I eat too much of dat；
When I neber hab forgotten； etc。
〃He tore me from my Dinah； I tought my heart would burst： He
made me lub anoder when my lub was wid de first； He sole my
picanninnies becase he got dar price； And shut me in de marsh…field to
hoe among de rice；
When I neber hab forgotten； etc。
〃And all de day I hoe dar； in all de heat and rain； And； as I hoe
away dar； my heart go back again； Back to de little cabin dat stood
among de corn； And to de ole plantation where she and I war born！
Oh！ I wish I had forgotten； etc。
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CLOTELLE
〃Den Dinah am beside me； de chil'ren on my knee； And dough I am
a slave dar； it 'pears to me I'm free； Till I wake up from my dreaming；
and wife and chil'ren gone； I hoe away and weep dar； and weep dar all
alone！
Oh！ I wish I had forgotten； etc。
〃But soon a day am comin'； a day I long to see； When dis darky in
de cole ground； foreber will be free； When wife and chil'ren wid me； I'll
sing in Paradise； How He； de blessed Jesus； hab bought me wid a price；
How de Lord hab not forgotten How well I hoed de
cotton； How well I hoed de cotton On de old Virginny
shore； Dar I'll neber hoe de cotton； Oh！ I'll neber hoe de
cotton Any more。〃
When away from the whites； and among his own class； Pete could
often be heard in the following strains：
〃A storm am brewin' in de Souf； A storm am brewin'
now。 Oh！ hearken den； and shut your mouf； And I will tell
you how： And I will tell you how； ole boy； De storm of
fire will pour； And make de darkies dance for joy； As dey
neber danced afore； So shut your mouf as close as deafh；
And all you niggas hole your breafh； And I will tell you how。
〃De darkies at de Norf am ris； And dey am comin'
down Am comin' down； I know dey is； To do de white
folks brown！ Dey'll turn ole Massa out to grass； And set
de niggas free； And when dat day am come to pass We'll
all be dar to see！ So shut your mouf as close as deafh； And
all you niggas hole your breafh； And do de white folks brown！
〃Den all de week will be as gay As am de Chris'mas
time； We'll dance all night and all de day； And make de
banjo chime And make de banjo chime； I tink； And pass
de time away； Wid 'nuf to eat and nuf to drink； And not a
bit to pay！ So shut your mouf as close as deafh； And all you
niggas hole your breafh； And make de banjo chime。〃
How t